Obesity

Obesity may be described as a bodily condition characterised by excessive deposition or storage of fat inadipose tissue. It usually results from consumption of food in excess of physiological needs. Obesity iscommon among people in Western countries and among the higher income groups in India and otherdeveloping countries. Obesity can occur at any age in either sex. Its incidence is higher inpersons whoconsume more food and lead sedentary leaves. Among women, obesity is liable to occur after pregnancy andat menopause. A woman usually gains about 12 kgs. weight during pregnancy. Part of this is an increase in theadipose tissue which serves as a store against the demands of lactation. Many women gain more and retainpart of this weight. They become progressively obese with each succeeding child. Obesity is a serious healthhazard as the extra fats puts a strain on the heart, kidneys and liver as well as the large weight-bearing jointssuch as the hips, knees and ankles, which ultimately shortens the life span. It has been truly said, ‘ the longerthe belt, the short the life. ‘ Overweight persons are susceptible to several diseases like coronary thrombosis,heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout and liver and gall-bladder disorders.

Causes

The chief cause of obesity , most often, is overeating - that is, the intake of calories beyond the body’s energyrequirement. Some people are habituated to eating too much while others may be in the habit of consuming high-calorie foods. These people gain weight continuously as they fail to adjust their appetite to reduce energy requirements. There has, in recent times, been an increase in awareness of psychological aspects of obesity.Persons who are generally bored , unhappy, lonely or unloved, those who are discontented with their families,or social or financial standing usually tend to overeat as eating is a pleasure and solace to them. Obesity issometimes also the result of disturbances of the thyroid or pituitary glands. But glandular disorders account foronly about two per cent of the total incidence of obesity. In such persons, the basal metabolism rate is low andthey keep gaining weight unless they take a low-calorie diet.

Treatment

A suitably planned course of dietetic treatment, in conjunction with suitable exercise and other measures forpromoting elimination is the only scientific way of dealing with obesity. The chief consideration in this treatmentshould be the balanced selection of foods which provide the maximum essential nutrients with the least numberof calories. To begin with, the patient should undertake a juice fast for seven to ten days. Juices of lemon,grape fruit, orange, pineapple, cabbage, celery, may be taken during this period. Long juice fast upto 40 dayscan also be undertaken, but only under expert guidance and supervision. In the alternative, short juice fastsshould be repeated at regular intervals of two months or so till the desired reduction in weight is achieved. Afterthe juice fast, the patient should spend a further four or five days on an all-fruit diet, taking three meals of freshjuicy fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya. Thereafter, he may gradually embark upon alow-calorie well- balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains , (ii) vegetablesand (iii)fruits, with emphasis on raw fruits, vegetables, and fresh juices. The foods which should be drasticallycurtailed or altogether avoided are high-fat foods such as butter, cheese, chocolates, cream, ice-cream, fatmeats, fried foods, and gravies ; high carbohydrated foods like bread, candy, cake, cookies, cereal products,legumes, potatoes, honey, sugar, syrup and rich puddings beverages such as all-fountain drinks and alcoholic drinks.